the japanese editions are far superior than the normal releases - BUT the last releases of the Queen albums in the UK (cardboard sleeves) were, as far as I'm aware, the japanese remasters - so that might be a cheaper option for you.
However, being in the USA, you have access to the HR remasters from 1991, and I'm sure that some people on here would say they are better than the Japanese ones....
From my own observations, the Japanese remasters have more bass in them, while the HR remasters seem clearer in the top end (cymbals etc).